GLOUCESTERSHIRE Over 50s had to show plenty of fighting spirit to complete a low scoring 23-run victory away to Warwickshire at Leamington.
The visitors, who lost the toss, were struggling at 32-3 before Simon Hygate (64) and Mike Courtiour (38) repaired the innings with a crucial stand of 97 while No 11 Steve Bridge’s bright 20 helped take the total up to 190 all out.
Accurate bowling then kept Warwickshire under pressure, Bridge sending down nine overs for only 18 and Jason Loud claiming 2-41 from his eight.
And the combined efforts of Keith Knight (4-30 from eight) and skipper Rich Trotman (3-32 from 8.5) then turned the screw as the home side came up short.
It was even tighter at Challow & Childrey where defending Over 70s champions Gloucestershire were pushed all the way before closing out a 16-run victory away to Oxfordshire.
The visitors, who lost the toss, were suddenly on the back foot at an unpromising 36-5 before England skipper John Evans dug in for a crucial 60 off 103, receiving important support from John Turton (14) ahead of valuable knocks from Rich Carman (20 not) and Tony Glinos (18) which helped lift the score to 141-8.
Oxfordshire, in reply, were in decent shape at 87-4 after 34 before Roger Beese’s side put the pressure on in style to complete the win.
Howard Johnson finished with 3-13 from nine while there were also two wickets apiece for Graham Clarke and Andy Howe with Turton (0-20 from nine) playing another key role in clinching a third win of the summer.
Gloucestershire Over 50s 2nds, meanwhile, found themselves chasing an imposing 317 for victory at home to Devon at Great Rissington, and came up only 19 runs short, Mike Gray (43), captain Mark Febery (41) and Steve Jones (39 not) top scoring in a determined team effort.